Before Rockets camp started, Dwight Howard said one of his goals for the season was to shoot 75-80 percent from the free-throw line.

Turns out, Howard can do that – with his eyes closed.

At the end of practice on Tuesday, Howard challenged James Harden to a free-throw shooting contest. Both players had to close their eyes to shoot. Howard won, hitting 8-of-10.

“I might have to start doing my eyes closed 8-10 in games,” Howard said. “I have a good percentage. I am 8 for 10 with my eyes closed.”

Howard said that he has shot with his eyes closed before and it is helping him improve his accuracy.

“There is a guy who has the world record for most free throws made and he told me to do that drill and its good for trusting your form,” Howard said. “You can’t see nothing, so you have to trust your form and trust that it goes in.”

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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James Harden looks to dribble around his defender during training camp on Thursday at Toyota Center.

James Harden looks to dribble around his defender during training camp on Thursday at Toyota Center.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Dwight Howard at practice.

Dwight Howard at practice.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Dwight Howard throws one down.

Dwight Howard throws one down.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Jeremy Lin shoots free throws.

Jeremy Lin shoots free throws.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Dwight Howard works on his free throws.

Dwight Howard works on his free throws.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Jeremy Lin looks to make a pass.

Jeremy Lin looks to make a pass.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Chandler Parsons, left, guards James Harden during practice.

Chandler Parsons, left, guards James Harden during practice.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Dwight Howard laughs while talking to reporters after practice.

Dwight Howard laughs while talking to reporters after practice.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Jeremy Lin goes up in the air and looks to pass.

Jeremy Lin goes up in the air and looks to pass.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Dwight Howard laughs while talking to reporters after practice.

Dwight Howard laughs while talking to reporters after practice.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Hakeem Olajuwon works works with Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard during the first practice of the team's preseason training camp at Toyota Center on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Houston.

Hakeem Olajuwon works works with Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard during the first practice of the team's preseason training camp at Toyota Center on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, in Houston.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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The Houston Rockets practice on the first day of training camp.

The Houston Rockets practice on the first day of training camp.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rockets shooting guard James Harden puts up a shot during practice.

Rockets shooting guard James Harden puts up a shot during practice.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rockets center Dwight Howard shoots baskets during the first practice.

Rockets center Dwight Howard shoots baskets during the first practice.